Restorative Care Pathway and End of Life Pathway: Support at Home Short Term Care Explained
As well as ongoing services, Support at Home has three short term pathways: the Restorative Care Pathway, the End of Life Pathway and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT HM) scheme. This guide explains who each pathway is for, how long it lasts, how much funding is available and how to access it.
What Is the Restorative Care Pathway?
The Restorative Care Pathway is short term care that helps you regain function and stay independent through coordinated allied health and nursing services. It is delivered by a team of health professionals who help you manage or adapt to your needs, and it replaced the Short Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025.
How the Restorative Care Pathway Works
- You can receive restorative care for up to 16 weeks
- You may be eligible for up to 2 episodes in a 12 month period
- Each episode has a budget of around $6,000
- Services must start within 56 days of approval, and you can ask My Aged Care for a further 28 days
- Clinical services are fully funded, and you may contribute toward independence and everyday living services
The services available are the same as those on the Support at Home service list, including nursing care, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, help with showering, dressing, medication, transport and respite, and help with cleaning, gardening and shopping. Source: My Aged Care.
What Is the End of Life Pathway?
The End of Life Pathway supports older people who have been diagnosed with 3 months or less to live and who wish to remain at home. It provides additional in home aged care, such as personal care, domestic assistance and general nursing, to complement palliative care services provided under state and territory schemes. It does not replace palliative care services.
- Up to $25,000 is available for each eligible participant
- Funding covers a 12 week period, with an extra 4 weeks to use the funds
- Approval gives urgent access to more funding for in home aged care
- People may also be approved for assistive technology
The AT HM Scheme
The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme helps you access equipment, such as a wheelchair, and changes to your home, such as a shower rail, to meet your assessed needs. It has three funding tiers and is separate to your ongoing Support at Home budget, so you no longer need to save package funds for these items.
How to Access a Short Term Pathway
Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 or apply online for an aged care assessment.
Assessment
Your assessor checks if you are eligible for any short term pathways.
Notice of Decision
Your letter and support plan confirm the pathway and budget.
Choose a Provider
Choose a provider that delivers the pathway and start services.
You can ask to access a pathway while receiving ongoing Support at Home services, but you may not be able to access more than one pathway at the same time. For the 8 ongoing classification levels, see our Support at Home levels guide.
How GHCA Can Help
GHCA delivers Support at Home services including nursing, occupational therapy, personal care and palliative care at home. Call us to talk about whether a short term pathway may suit you.
Questions About Short Term Care?
Call 1300 157 715, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, or send us a referral and our team will be in touch.